On This Day in Church History

On Thursday, 12th August 1976, my parents welcomed me into the world! Only 2 weeks earlier Rudolf Bultmann passed away. Thank goodness reincarnation isn’t real. I mean, by the time he was processed and received his paperwork to head back to earth for his next life, the 12th of August could have been a real possibility! But I digress…

On the occasion of my 33rd Birthday I thought I would share from the scriptures (the KJV of course) and bless you all on my birthday…

Psalm 37:37, “Mark the perfect man” – There it is! Perhaps the KJV isn’t too bad a translation after all!

Blasphemy!

Over the past couple of days I have been at our Ministers’ Association annual lectures (known as the Magarey Lectures). I was talking to a colleague about my Philippians series and he remarked that he had just finished preaching through Philippians. We got around to talking about commentaries when I mentioned Fee’s NICNT volume when he uttered the most blasphemous of words…“I didn’t get much out of Fee’s commentary, it wasn’t very helpful!” “WHAT?” I yelled so loudly the dead rose! Rest assured, I quickly laid my hands upon his temples and began invoking the name of Christ to cast that foul idiotic spirit of dilettantism out of him. Rocking him backwards and forwards, thundering the name of Christ I sought this man’s repentance. Alas, he has yet to repent! Maybe I need to work on my style? Let me say, I love it when you can have a good robust discussion with someone about commentaries!

Where in the world is Jim West now?

It seems he has joined the ranks of other celebrity Pastors and is now producing training DVD’s for churches. I particularly liked this one about welcoming people into the church! Personally, I think you look great with a mustache Jim!

Thanks to Aaron for the tip off.

Have you ever wondered how Australians view America?

Mike Bird does a very good job in a video posted on the Koinonia Blog of parodying how Australians view the religious landscape in the USA (and a few other gems as well). However, please be aware, his “How to Speak Australian” lesson is embarrassing and should never! be viewed!!!

Just so you know…

My birthday is approaching fast! Therefore, for all of you living outside of Australia you had better send my presents very soon!

Quote of the day…

“The church has become a theater and the theater has become the church” Søren Kierkegaard

I made the mistake this morning of turning on the television before church. As per normal there were a range of tele-evangelists and televised church services. I could not believe my eyes when I saw a well known mega-church’s stage set up. Not only did they have numbers of large data projector type screens, they had, forming a continual banner around the back of the stage, at least 15 LCD/Plasma screen Televisions! Can any one tell me what this achieves? They had what I would describe as an itunes like screen saver playing while the pastor (and I use that term lightly).

Here in Australia we are being contantly reminded to reduce our carbon foot print. It’s a good thing because this church is sucking the life out of the electricity grid and ruining the environment in the mean time! I must admit however, the congregation were all sitting in the dark so that might have helped reduce the environmental impact!

Thanks to Jim for the quote!

10 Things You’ll Love About Me…

1. I HATE Christian music – with the exception of DC Talk, Third Day and U2
2. My favourite TV show of all time is The WEST WING!
3. I am not a Calvinist nor an Armenianist; I am a Barthian!
4. I think I might be addicted to coffee…
5. Jim West is one of the most generous people I know and if I could be half as good a pastor as he is, I’d be happy.
6. Deep down, I wish I could model my ministry on Dr Cox from Scrubs!
7. After years of denial I am ready to admit that I am an extrovert – I work on my own 70% of the time and it drives me insane!
8. I wish I could start my theological/ministry training all over again
9. I would love to live in the United States. Furthermore, I would love to study in the United States!
10. I really struggle to understand why people don’t WANT to read their bibles and study it like I do!

And, a bonus fact: I have the most amazing wife and beautiful daughter who are more important to me than anything else I have or do!

Why it is actually one of the best websites!

Yesterday I posted about BestCommentaries.com – Jim picked up on the post and put it to the test. Well, it turns out they don’t list Bultmann’s commentary on the Gospel of John! What a discerning and educated people they must be at Best Commentaries! As I like to say, “Rudolf Bultmann: Sucking the Life out of the New Testament since 1884″

Where in the World is Jim West now?

It seems that he has finally given into his “inner Baptist” and screamed what he truly believes about dating. Look, as a Dad with a daughter I sympathise with his view, however, what is most disappointing is that he is in Adelaide this month and he hasn’t even bothered to call! He even changed his name to try and avoid me!!!

Guess Who?

I am back at work today after three wonderful weeks of annual leave! My first task is to begin preparing for an upcoming series on Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians (more anon). As part of my background research I am reading Hawthorne’s article in the Dictionary of Paul and his Letters (a must have series for Pastors). I came across this quote about the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 from a well known NT scholar. See if you can guess whom Hawthorne quotes:

“Scholars have looked in many different directions for the source of the ideas in this hymn. Some have suggested the background of the Gnostic “Redeemed-Redeemer” myth that describes the descent into this world of a “light-person,” who comes to bring knowledge to the sons of light, appears in human form and endures misery, pain and suffering like other humans until he leaves this world and returns to the world of light.” (G. F., Martin, R. P., & Reid, D. G. 1993. Dictionary of Paul and his Letters (712). InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, Ill.)

Who was it? That’s correct, good old Bultmann! As I like to say; Rudolf Bultmann – Sucking the life out of the New Testament since 1884!